Netflix discussing keeping Disney's Marvel, 'Star Wars' films

Netflix was dealt a fairly serious blow earlier this week, when Disney announced that it would be ending its exclusive partnership with the company in favor of starting its own online streaming service.

Netflix Inc. are in "active discussions" to keep Marvel and Star Wars films on the streaming service after the upcoming split in 2019.

Netflix is still in discussions with Disney about retaining rights to stream Marvel and Lucasfilm releases after 2019, Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos told Reuters.

A Disney spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The news comes after Disney announced its intention to follow in the footsteps of increasing numbers of cable nets, with the launch of an ESPN-branded multi-sport video streaming service in early 2018.

Disney's plan to stream its content directly to consumers is "a natural evolution" for traditional media companies that Netflix expected, Sarandos said in an interview at an event to celebrate Emmy nominations for Netflix drama "The Crown".

Disney's decision to launch its own OTT service in the USA won't affect Disney, Marvel or Star Wars content included in Netflix's catalogues across Latin America and Spain.

"That's why we got into the originals business five years ago, anticipating it may be not as easy a conversation with studios and networks" to license their content, he added.